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The choice you make will affect how much damage it can withstand, as well as the maintenance and costs. You will need to take a close look at how you want to use your driveway and many other factors as well. Your budget will need to be taken into consideration, as well as weather conditions. Let’s take a look at how you can pick the best material for your driveway.

How Much Money Do You Have to Spend?

The first question you’ll need to ask is how much you can afford to spend on your new driveway. If you want a cheap option that will withstand any kind of conditions, asphalt is the way to go. It’s also low maintenance and looks relatively pleasant. You check out for places to get your supplies like Asphalt Industrial.

If you enjoy steady weather and are living in the country, then gravel could also be a good option. It drains very well, can be replenished, and requires very little maintenance. You will still need to be on the lookout for weeds, however, as they can grow through concrete. It’s also not the best material if you want to get some heavy work done.

What’s Your Biggest Goal?

You have to know what your main goal is for your driveway. If all you want is a driveway that looks good, then pavers are a great option. They’re expensive, however, and they’re not the best option for people who like to get some heavy work done in their driveway.

If that’s your case, your best bet would be to go with a concrete driveway. It can be stamped to look just like pavers and can deal with lots of traffic. You can also have it built so that it can maintain some of the stormwater-friendly qualities of pavers. 

The benefits of a stormwater-friendly driveway are many, and this is something you’ll need to pay special attention to if you want to preserve the environment and your home’s structural integrity. Concrete can be made to be porous, which allows water to drain easily while limiting the number of pollutants and debris that end up in your yard and storm drain.

If you want something that’s heavy-duty and aesthetics is not a concern, then asphalt is the way to go. It’s very robust and easy to wash. Stains will also be less visible and you can have asphalt resurfaced every time you want to give your driveway a brand-new lease of life.

Maintenance

You also have to assess how much maintenance you can handle. Some people will not like the idea of having to constantly seal, resurface, and patch their driveway. If that’s your case, asphalt may not be the best option. One thing about asphalt, however, is that repairs are much cheaper than with concrete, even if concrete is more durable. But concrete is still the paving material that requires the least maintenance. It can be easily washed and doesn’t need to be resurfaced. It will maintain its appearance for years without additional treatments and can withstand freeze and thaw cycles very well if installed properly.

This is all you need to know if you want to find the best material for your driveway. Take your time and look at the pros and cons of every option before making your final choice.

You cannot avoid wear and tear on a driveway, as vehicles and foot traffic will make sure of that. Asphalt drives, in particular, are more susceptible to damage from both cars and the weather. The chances are that your drive will be laid using a poorer quality asphalt as well, making it even more likely to show signs of wear. Sealing your driveway regularly will give it that added protection to add longevity and resist serious deterioration.

Why Does it Need Regular Upkeep?

To get a better idea think of the asphalt roads around your neighbourhood. The upkeep on them is pretty much constant due to the high volume of traffic they need to withstand. But also bear in mind that the quality of asphalt on these roads is going to be a higher grade. So even though your driveway will only have a fraction of the traffic, it is also a lesser grade so it will not withstand constant usage. When an asphalt surface starts to crumble it can be both dangerous and unsightly, and only regular maintenance and resealing when needed can prevent this happening to your driveway.

The Benefits of Sealing

There are numerous benefits when it comes to sealing and preserving your driveway. First up, when properly applied following the manufacturer’s instructions, a driveway sealer will repel water, which is probably the biggest enemy of driveways. Concrete has an annoying tendency to crack if you allow water to permeate it, and the weight of the vehicles using the driveway increases this tendency even more. Once cracks start appearing, water has a field day and really goes to town during cold spells, where it will expand and contract thanks to the freezing temperatures.

The other enemies of your driveway which a good sealer protects against are sunlight and oxygen. Both of these hasten the corrosion process so regular application of the driveway sealer will protect your concrete from air, water and sunlight. An added benefit of sealer is that it repels the likes of oil leaks and spillages by making it a lot easier to sweep and then clean the surface. We do recommend any spillages be properly cleaned up as soon as possible as if you are unlucky enough to have one in an area where the sealer is wearing away you will have a nasty stain to deal with.

How Often?

The general rule is 1-3 years, with most people sealing their driveways every 3 years. There are no guarantees you are going to be able to leave it this long, however, and there are telltale signs to look for. If you are able to see the color of the stones which are used to make up the asphalt surface it’s time to get the sealer out. If the concrete is starting to look a bit scuffed in areas, chances are the sealer has worn away and it’s time to give it a new application.

Golden Rules

Never seal a brand new asphalt drive. It needs at least 6 months to allow the oils present to fully evaporate. The less oil present, the tougher the driveway. If you apply your sealer before the asphalt has fully cured it will never achieve the hardness needed and your driveway will not serve its purpose. The outdoor temperature must be at least 50° to maximize the adherence of the sealer. You also ideally need to allow 58 dry hours for it to dry so plan your sealing when there is zero rain forecast.